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ENGL-101/ENGL-C1000 - English Composition/Academic Reading and Writing - Ann O'Bryan

Course:English Composition/Academic Reading and Writing
Professor:Ann O'Bryan
Email:ann.obryan@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
Course Length:
  • Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

Greetings!

My name is Ann O'Bryan and I look forward to teaching English 101 this semester. I look forward to getting to know each of my students through writing assignments, questions, struggles, and successes. 

A little about me:

I have been teaching English at the college level since 2012. My career began at California State University, Northridge as a MA student. While working toward my degree, I taught Composition classes, much like this one, under the direction of a professor with decades of valuable experience. Once I graduated, in 2014, I began teaching at the community college and university level. I have taught a mixture of online, hybrid, remote, and face-to-face classes. 

Course Description

According to the COC course catalog, 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."

What to Expect in this Course

In my course, you will write four essays. You will engage with your classmates on discussion boards and in essay reflections. You will work with online or in person tutors to help you revise your essays. The textbook, Understanding Rhetoric, is necessary to complete many of the discussion posts. I include PowerPoints and lecture videos to assist you with the concepts you will be quizzed on.

Your essay assignments will be based on one of the two nonfiction books offered in this course. Your first essay will be a rhetorical analysis. The second essay will be an evaluative analysis. The third essay will be research-based. The final essay will be a portfolio, where you revise a previous essay and include a reflection. Each of the essay assignments include essay revision reflections and tutor meetings.  

Types of Assessments

Discussion Posts: Discussion posts will be submitted through Canvas, and accessible to every member of the class. The instructions will vary from issues presented in the recommended text, textbook, and topics you will use in your research essay. You will be required to post an original post, responding to the prompt. Then, you will be required to respond to one classmate on the discussion board.

Reading Quizzes: The quizzes will be based on the textbook, Understanding Rhetoric. You will have one hour to complete each quiz. You will have two attempts to take each quiz.

Essay Outlines: You will submit a n outline for each of the essay assignments.

Formal Essays: Essays will be 4-7 pages in length and based upon prompts posted on Canvas. Essay 1 will be a 4-5 page Rhetorical Analysis, Essay 2 will be a 4-5 page Evaluative, and Essay 3 will be a 4-5 page Research-based Argument.

Tutoring Sessions and Reflections: You will meet with a tutor through the online tutoring options on Canvas to go over revision strategies, then write a one-page, double-spaced reflection.

Timed Essay: You will write an essay on Canvas, through a “quiz” assignment. You will have 90 minutes to write the essay. The prompt will be provided when you begin the quiz. You may complete this at any point during the semester.

Final Portfolio: You will revise your first or second essay by adding 1-2 pages and one additional source and write a 1-2 page reflection, bringing it to 6-8 pages total.

Textbook Information

Required textbook: Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing, 3rd Edition ISBN: 978-1319244996)

Choose ONE of these nonfiction texts:


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: 07/15/2025 Sub#: 961 Sub ID: 106256

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