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ENGL 101 Hybrid - English Composition - Mary Angelino

Course:English Composition
Professor:Mary Angelino
Email:mary.angelino@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Hybrid
Course Length:
  • 16 Week

Introduction

Hello, my name is Mary Angelino, and I will be your instructor for English 101 Hybrid--welcome!

My own path with writing began in 2002 when I was a COC student in this very class, and I began teaching Composition courses in 2007. First at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as I earned my MFA in Creative Writing, then at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville. In Spring 2017, life came full circle when I got hired at COC to teach the courses that set me on this path and to share what I've learned along the way. I've taught English 101 at College of the Canyons since Fall 2018. I also teach English 105: Intro to Creative Writing, English 106: Creative Writing—Nonfiction, and English 108: Creative Writing—Poetry. 

This hybrid course meets on campus once a week throughout our 16-week semester, with half the coursework completed online (on Canvas) and the other half completed in person (on the Valencia campus, during the designated time on the Course Schedule).

The course syllabus, containing important course policies and procedures, the calendar of weekly assignment deadlines, and much more detailed information about how the course is structured overall, can be found on our course Canvas shell when it becomes available to you at 9 am on the first day of the semester. On that day, you will have access to the course in Canvas and should log in to view the course syllabus and assignment instructions. I will send you the syllabus and other instructions via email the Friday before our semester starts so you can be prepared for class the first day we meet in person. Be sure to read the syllabus thoroughly as soon as I email it to you so I can clear up any questions about the course you may have.

Below, I've provided an overview of the course and how it will function--please read all the sections carefully, as they will likely answer some questions you may already have about the course. Make sure to note the required textbooks (which you should purchase before the semester starts) and other various resources. I want all of you to succeed in this course, and I look forward to working with you this semester!

Kind Regards,

Professor Angelino

Course Description

The catalog description for this Hybrid, 16-week course states that English 101 "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." In other words, English 101 teaches students to read critically, think logically, and write intelligently for various academic, professional, and public audiences. This course will challenge you to reframe your perceptions, activate your curiosity, and re-see yourself as a scholar with valuable perspectives to contribute to various necessary conversations. For example, our book for this course, Hanif Abdurraqib's essay collection They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us, uses music to ask questions about culture, history, and what it means to live in America at this particular moment. To more deeply engage with this text, we, too, will pay special attention to how popular culture--specifically, popular music--acts as a channel for cultural shifts, fears, and desires. We will also pay particular attention to how we might use writing and talking about music as a valuable and interesting vehicle for having "deeper" conversations about what we value and why.

What to Expect in this Course

Hybrid courses meet on campus once a week throughout a 16-week semester, with half the coursework completed online (on Canvas) and the other half completed in person (on the Valencia campus, during a set weekly time). In my experience, Hybrid-style classes offer the “best of both worlds” to students when it comes to instruction—the convenience of an online course (several assignments are due by midnight on set days each week) coupled with weekly, in-person help on your work from your Professor and opportunities to collaborate and learn with your classmates.

For this class, all instructions and materials will be organized in weekly MODULES on Canvas, and I will provide paper handouts of several assignments in class. You do not have access to the modules all at once--they are released week by week. Modules will be made available at 8:00 pm the Friday before the following week's assignments are due. Each week you have the chance to get a head start on the next week's assignments and turn some in early.

Types of Assessments

Generally, there will be two assignment deadlines to meet each week (one assignment to be completed on Canvas and another assignment to be completed in class). You will complete Close Reading, Journal, Prewriting, and Peer Review assignments, an in-person Midterm exam, and 4 Major Paper assignments. For Papers 1-3, you are required to have a tutoring session with a TLC Tutor (either in person or on Zoom) over your rough draft.

Textbook Information

  1. They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, Essays by Hanif Abdurraqib. ISBN 978-1-937512-65-1.
    • Note: Print (hard copy) and E-book versions of this text are acceptable.
  2. English Composition: An Open Education Resources Publication by College of the Canyons, compiled by Jennifer Brezina
    • Note: This textbook is free and provided as a PDF on Canvas. For $5, the Bookstore on the Valencia campus will print out a hard copy for you.

Other Relevant Course Information

  • This course requires a substantial weekly time commitment: To successfully complete this course, you should expect to spend approximately 12 hours per week on this course—2 hours a week physically in class and approx. ten hours a week completing homework and other assignments on Canvas. This course meets the IGETC Arts and Humanities requirement for transfer to CSU and UC and therefore requires the same total work hours as a regular face-to-face section that meets twice a week.
     
  • This course has an "Attendance" Policy: You are expected to physically attend class once a week and submit a weekly assignment by a predetermined deadline—in-person attendance and meeting the weekly deadline count as attendance. Participation is VITAL to your success in English 101. Falling behind by even 1 or 2 assignments often jeopardizes a student's ability to pass the course. As a former COC student myself (go class of 2005!), I understand how your time outside English class quickly fills up with homework, job, family, and other obligations. This is why everything we do for this class builds towards the goal of writing--and passing!--the four major papers and the Midterm (worth the most points this semester). In other words, I have considered your other classes and obligations when planning the weekly assignments, so I expect you to do your part by participating regularly. Plus, if everyone is involved and contributing, the class is more fun and interesting! What does this class design mean in terms of attendance? It means that my attendance/participation policy is strict and non-negotiable. Here is what you need to know:
    • Attendance, Add, & Drop Policies: If you anticipate extended or multiple missed assignments, please consult with me as soon as possible to discuss whether you will be able to complete the requirements for this course. Add Authorizations: If you'd like to add the course, please email me within the first two weeks of the semester, and if there is a seat available, I will authorize you to add the course. First 2 Weeks Rule: Physically attending class and meeting ALL assignment deadlines for the first two weeks of class is mandatory to stay in the course. If you are absent and miss even one deadline during the first two weeks, you will be dropped to make room for waitlisted students hoping to add. If an emergency should occur during this time and you wish to remain in the class, I require an e-mail with a documented excuse within 24 hours of the missed class. Documented excuses usually, but not always, consist of a doctor's note and will be considered case-by-case. Please keep in mind that vacations will never count as an emergency. Drop Policy: After the first two weeks, students who miss a week’s worth of class and/or assignment deadlines without contacting me will be dropped from the course.  It is your responsibility to stay in contact with me if you're experiencing an emergency--I am understanding and want you to succeed in my course. 
  • This course requires much self-discipline. Although I am providing you with instruction and feedback every week, you are responsible for reading and completing assignments on time and being prepared for our once-a-week, in-person class. People who fall behind, even by one week, have a much higher withdrawal and failure rate than those who miss a similar amount of time in a regular face-to-face class that meets twice a week. Thus, it is crucial that you stay current with weekly assignments. If you fall behind, contact me immediately. Again, this class requires a substantial time commitment. We will work at a reasonable pace and build toward our major papers, but I want to warn you now--this is a 4-unit composition course--which means A LOT of reading and writing every week.
     
  • This course requires self-reliance. I am happy to answer your questions, but before you send me a question, check that the answer is not already available to you either in the class notes/instructions, your textbook, or on the Ask Course Questions Here discussion board on Canvas. Also, take advantage of the information and resources provided by the college: the COC Writing Center (TLC), the COC Online Learning services, and the Canvas Resources services, all of which are linked below and on the course homepage. Part of being a professional college student is taking responsibility for your own learning and discovering the resources you need to succeed. You have much available support, but you must seek it.
     
  • This course requires weekly computer and Internet use. You should have regular and consistent access to a computer with word-processing software, email, and a high-speed Internet connection.  If you have temporary technical difficulties at home (it happens to all of us!), please get in touch with me as soon as you can, and please refer to the late work policy on our course syllabus. 
     
  • This course requires you to learn and use basic technology skills. While you do not need to be a computer "expert" to take this course, you should have a certain level of comfort and competence with computers. To succeed in this class, you should be able to: Navigate the Internet, send and receive email attachments, upload work to Canvas, cut and paste text from documents, compose and format documents in a word processing program, and save documents as PDF files. You should also be able to back up your coursework as you prepare it. For example, you should save your work to your hard drive and consider purchasing a jump drive (thumb drive), which will give you more flexibility and a backup to your hard drive should your computer be infected by a virus or suffer hardware failure. Google Docs or Dropbox are other terrific options for backing up/ saving your work.   If you don’t know how to use technology like this yet, there is technical support on Campus and over the phone that can help. Some of the initial challenges of this course involve learning the technology. It takes some getting accustomed to it all, but don't worry--after the first couple of weeks, it will all seem very natural.

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: 07/27/2023 Sub#: 1546