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ENGL-101 - English Composition - Jeremy Fannon

Course:English Composition
Professor:Jeremy Fannon
Email:jeremy.fannon@canyons.edu
Format:
  • OnlineLive
Course Length:
  • 16 Week

Introduction

WELCOME:

Welcome to my English 101 class! This is a 16-week course. I am very excited to spend this semester with you. The information in this letter is designed to help you to be successful in my class. Please take the time to read this letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask in our Zoom meetings, or send me an email. I will always do my best to communicate my expectations to you and make myself available to help you to be successful. COC has many resources on campus to help you with just about anything you are struggling with.

Course Description

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

Synchronous Format: 

In this English 101 class, we have required synchronous Zoom meetings twice a week.  You do not have to be on camera for these meetings if it makes you uncomfortable, but I would love it if you consider being on camera. It really helps me to build a relationship with my students if you are “present” when we meet.  I will check frequently for understanding. If you are not responsive when I check for understanding, I will remove you from our Zoom class and you will be marked absent. You education experience is what you make of it. If you are not awake and attentive it will be much more difficult to be successful in my class.  

Online Learning:

Here is what you can expect.  I will open a new module each week. You can expect many different types of assignments, from discussion boards, online quizzes and exams, close reading questions, and many other types. Each type of assignment will be explained thoroughly on each assignment page in the module. To be successful, each week you should do the following:

  • You should look at the module for the week first thing Monday morning. The very first thing you should do is look at the Weekly Overview. On this page, I will lay out the week for you with all due dates and homework for the week. I will also tell you what reading assignments are due. You should also watch my weekly overview video as I will walk you through the week in greater detail
  • Next, you should write down, or put in your phone, all of the assignments that are due. I like to use Post-it notes and put them right on the wall in front of my computer to remind me when things are due. Whatever tool helps you to remember, use it. Time management is the most important skill you can develop as a college student.   
  • Pace yourself, don’t wait until the last minute to do an assignment as this will make this class almost impossible to pass. I don’t assign a ton of work each week, but the work I assign will be rigorous and take some thought and effort to complete.
  • Check the announcement board and your messages every day. Get into that habit. I will send frequent messages and post many announcements during the semester. If you only log in on Monday, and don’t check the site every day, you may miss time sensitive information.

Types of Assessments

We will have 2,400 points: YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE DETERMINED THIS WAY: Essays – One Diagnostic, and Four Out-of-Class Essays and Revisions (50%): Diagnostic Essay – 2 pages min. 100 points Essay 1 (Rhetorical Analysis) 4 pages min. 200 points Essay 2 (Multi-Sided Argument) 4 pages min. 200 points Essay 3 (Literary Analysis/Argument) 5 Pages min. 300 points Essay 4 (Ethical Argument) 6 pages min. 400 points 1200 points Essays 2-4 will require research done outside of class. I will teach lessons in class to help you to find reliable research sources. Every essay in this course will have specific requirements explained on an assignment sheet, but always keep in mind the following guidelines: Essays must meet the required minimum length and utilize MLA format to receive credit. Please refer to online sources like OWL Purdue or seek guidance at the writing center lab. Papers are due on the specified days in class. NOTE: I will accept late papers but there will be a minimum letter grade deduction if a paper is turned in late. The deduction may be more than a letter grade depending on how late you submit your paper. We will be peer reviewing rough drafts for all of the essays. The minimum length rough draft must be submitted to Canvas on the day that it is due, and the author must participate in peer review. We will peer edit all of our essays on Canvas. I will teach you how to do this in our Zoom classroom, and I will record and post how to do this as well. The peer editing process is very important. The feedback you receive from your peers can really help you to improve your writing. Final drafts for this class MUST be submitted to Turnitin.com before the deadline! I will go over how to submit papers to Turnitin.com in our Zoom classroom. I will not grade an essay that is not submitted to Turnitin.com. Quizzes and Exams – (15%) - 350 Points We will take reading quizzes that make up roughly 15% of your grade. These quizzes are open note quizzes so you should take thorough reading notes. These quizzes can be made up if you are absent. Please contact me ahead of time so I can arrange for you to take the quiz at another time. We will also take a timed essay Midterm Exam and a short answer Final Exam. Coursework – (35%) - 850 points Each week I will assign work that will make up roughly 35% of your grade. These assignments will be explained in the module each week. Attendance It is very important that you complete the work in Week 1 or you will be dropped from the class. There will be no required Zoom sessions, but I will schedule a few throughout the semester. The schedule will be made available in Week 1. I will only schedule between 4-6 of these sessions and I HIGHLY recommend that you try to make your schedule work so that you can attend them. THERE IS NO REQUIRED ATTENDANCE AND I WILL POST A VIDEO OF EACH OF THESE SESSIONS.

Textbook Information

There are two required textbooks that students have to buy. The COC bookstore has them available for you to purchase. You may also order them online; however, we will be using the Writing Arguments text as soon as week two of the course.

  1. Required - Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. 10th Edition. Ramage, John D, John C. Bean, and June Johnson. ISBN: 9780321906731
  2. Required – A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah ISBN: 9780374531263

Other Relevant Course Information

Self-motivation is required for success because of the online format.  In other words, each student is free to complete the assignments or not complete them.  Students who will be successful in this class will motivate themselves.  Self-discipline is also required for success because of this online format.  Students with self-discipline will be able to avoid procrastination; they will meet the deadlines throughout the semester.  Students with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines will probably enjoy success in this class.  Another predictor of success is past success.  Specifically, prior success in English classes (face-to-face, hybrid, or online) also prepares students for success in this online class.

I will do everything in my power to help you to be successful, but I can’t take the class for you. You have to want to do this. You have to want to put in the time and effort to be successful.


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: 10/08/2021 Sub#: 814