English 101 - English Composition - Aquil Yorke

Introduction

Hello, COC students! My name is Aquil Yorke, and I’m thrilled to be your potential English composition instructor. With a passion for teaching, I'm eager to help you develop your writing skills and discover the power of words. I look forward to working together to achieve your academic goals!

In this course, we will dissect and explore the basics of essay construction, developing core writing skills, and diving deeper into the academic conversation that we are all welcome to join. Our guiding idea will be to consider academic writing as a conversation from many angles and why it is important to share our perspectives.

Course Description

English 101 is a 4-unit course that builds critical reading and expository writing skills through the analysis and evaluation of college-level, nonfiction readings and the composition of well-organized, full-length essays, containing properly documented evidence. This course is 4 units; it is UC and CSU transferable and it applies to the Associate Degree.

By the end of this semester, students will be able to:

• Analyze and critically evaluate college-level texts for rhetorical and genre strategies.
• Compose persuasive, well-organized, grammatically correct essays, synthesizing properly documented and relevant evidence to develop and support a unified thesis.

What to Expect in this Course

Warning: This is a writing class; you will write a lot! This course will prepare you to write thesis-driven, academic essays by introducing you to college-level reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, with an emphasis on understanding the overall writing process. You will also practice writing for different purposes, audiences, and situations, and you will exercise academic discussion and presentation skills.

Types of Assessments

Regardless of the format and length of the course we are taking, you must log onto our class canvas site several times per week to review tasks. Participation in all course activities is expected. Students should expect to allocate a sufficient amount of hours per week for this course.

It is expected that each student will access the course websites frequently (3 times a week) to download materials, check for announcements, complete your work, and participate in weekly interactive assignments.

Exams: all exams will be given completely online via Canvas.

Canvas is used to access course materials, announcements, quizzes, assignments, discussions, grades, and all resources.

No other technology is needed. 

Textbook Information

Textbook Titles:

They Say, I Say by Graff, Birkenstein, Durst (ISBN 978-0393538731)

&

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah (ISBN 978-0399588198)

Other Relevant Course Information

Pathway to Success

We will be using Modules and Progressions in this class.

Modules

As you will see on the left navigational guide, there is a panel labeled "Modules". This is where you will spend the majority of the class reading coursework and completing assignments. Each module (excluding this one) is divided by its week (Week One, Week Two, etc.) of the course. As we progress through the semester, each week we will be working on a new module, so please stay on track of what week it is to have a successful semester!

Progression

In previous classes and textbooks (and possibly ones you have this semester) you may be familiar with how your instructor divides the course by "Units". In this class, our assignments are divided by "Progressions". These progressions are meant to help show the progress you are making through each unit, and how each of the preceding and proceeding assignments scaffold into each other. 

Pathway to success each week:

1. Select the module for the week
2. Preview the coursework for said week
3. Complete all assignments (readings, exercises, essays, and discussion posts and replies) by their respective due dates.

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: 08/30/2024 Sub#: 1834