ENGL-101 - English Composition - Linda Beauregard-Vasquez
| Course: | English Composition |
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| Professor: | Linda Beauregard-Vasquez |
| Email: | Linda.Beauregard-Vasquez@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
WELCOME TO ENGLISH 101!
I am glad you have decided to join this fun and exciting class, and I look forward to getting to know each of you through your attendance, writing, and discussions. This section of English 101 will be taught in one of various formats. If you are fully online, you will be meeting with your classmates and me through our online discussion board only. If you are onsite, we will meet face-to-face in a classroom, and if you are hybrid or hyflex, we will meet both in person and online.
No matter the format, our class will be very enjoyable because the topics we will cover this term will be relevant and important to your future. More importantly, they will help you to engage with each other and with the world around us. As we proceed through the course, I will be your coach and instructor. I am here to help you and to cheer you on to victory. Please work closely with me to help ensure your success! Therefore, you have my personal cellphone. I strongly urge you to text me as it is the fastest way to reach me. Email is available, but texting me is faster. Please note that if you haven't heard from me within 24 hours, please reach out again. Also, please keep in mind that I do take attendance.
- ONSITE: Attending class the first day is required so that I can ensure that every student is enrolled in the correct course.
- ONLINE: You must make the first post by the end of the first day.
The themes for this course will be developing a growth mindset, resilience, and the ability to use your pen to affect positive change. We will also focus on critical reading, writing, and thinking skills that can help you not only succeed in college but also in the very real world of work and life itself. Please read the entire welcome letter on the pages below before proceeding with the course. These pages will provide you with important information about required materials and required technology, the "virtual" attendance policy, and an overview of the course. Understanding more about how this course is designed and its requirements will help you get off to a strong start. The most important part of the class, however, is staying in close communication with me. It is my goal to help you as an individual to achieve your best possible outcomes. Please do NOT go silent! I can't read minds. If you are having a problem, please let me know. I will do everything in my power to help you. Remember, the following words are the basis for my motto:
"I care, you matter, and this class will be fun for us all!"
To that end, this term, I am offering you a zero-cost textbook option. You may download the two textbooks free from Canvas. You may also purchase a copy of The Color Purple from the bookstore should you wish to do so.
MANDATORY FIRST DAY DEADLINE
Please keep in mind that even though this is an online class, I do take attendance. Attending class the first day is required so that I can ensure that every student is enrolled in the correct course. You must login on the first day of class between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to begin the course. If you do not post to the discussion thread by 11:59 p.m. on the first day of class, I am required to drop you from the course and add a waitlisted student!
WAITLISTS
If this course is full and has gone to a waitlist, please note that the best way to add the course is to be on the waitlist, as the college will automatically add you if a spot opens up. They will notify you via email so that you can pay your fees and remain enrolled in the course. In the event that there is room for additional students (other than those on the waitlist) to add the class, I will know by Wednesday, of the first week of class, so please email me before noon on that day, but not before, so that I can give you an add code. You will be required to give me your student ID number. Once you have received an email from me, you must immediately register for the course. Please note that it may take one business day before your account is created in Canvas, though I will do my best to expedite that process.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!
I strongly urge you to not be shy! Please reach out to me via text. It is the fastest way to reach me. You can simply text me at 661-810-3661. If I cannot answer you immediately, please be patient. I will back to you. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours, please text me again. Please be sure to tell me that you are a College of the Canyons student.
I look forward to having a fun and productive semester together!
Sincerely,
Instructor: Linda Beauregard-Vasquez
Instructor’s Phone #: 661-810-3661
Instructor Email: Linda.Beauregard-Vasquez@canyons.edu
Course Description
Description:
This is a UC/CSU transferable course that 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. Units (4.00) apply to the associate degree.
Course Overview:
English 101 teaches students to read critically, think logically, and write intelligently for academic and professional audiences. The course is designed so that a sequence of reading and writing assignments will help students develop much needed critical reading and thinking skills and refine their writing abilities.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- 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.
Course Objectives:
- Analyze and critically evaluate written and visual texts for rhetorical strategies such as ethos, logos, and pathos, among others;
- Demonstrate responsibility for the reading process by applying active and critical reading strategies to analyze the meaning of texts;
- Analyze and critically evaluate a variety of college-level texts, including a book length argument or a complete literary work;
- Demonstrate responsibility for the writing process and rhetorical context;
- Conduct research and critically evaluate appropriate source material(s);
- Create a thesis statement to structure the essay as a whole;
- Organize and structure essays in an effective manner;
- Support arguments by selecting, analyzing and synthesizing evidence such as relevant detail, anecdotes, and well-integrated summaries, paraphrases, and quotations;
- Implement the conventions of standard written English while using a variety of sentence structures;
- Apply MLA style and citation format;
- Compose effective short essays in timed-writing situations;
- Reflect on reading and writing practices in order to improve work habits and skills.
What to Expect in this Course
HOW TO ACCESS THE COURSE
The course can be accessed via Canvas at coc.instructure.edu on the first day of the course. Follow the login instructions at the bottom of the screen to login. If you have questions before the first day, please feel free to email me at Linda.Beauregard-Vasquez@canyons.edu or contact me via telephone at 661-810-3661 (texting me is the fastest way to reach me!!!). My information will be available at the top of your syllabus. Here, you can also access Canvas user guides with helpful tips for navigating and using Canvas. For any Canvas related issues please call the Canvas Student Support line at (661) 362-3344 during college business hours, or (877)889-9052 for 24/7 support.
A NOTE ABOUT TEXTBOOKS AND REQUIRED ITEMS
Our textbooks will be provided to you at no cost (they will be online). Please consider purchasing the Color Purple, but please note that a PDF version of the book will be available for free download. In order to succeed in any online course, you must have a reliable PC or Mac, access to your COC email address, Internet access with a reliable web browser (preferably Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome), Microsoft Word, and have some basic computer skills including how to upload and access files for this class. You may contact the college to obtain free MS Office software if you do not have it on your computer. I cannot accept Pages or GoogleDocs assignments, so be sure to save things in the proper format (.doc or .docx). You should also install Adobe Reader to be able to access PDF files. You will also be required to have a MyCanyons email account (You must actively check your COC student email for class announcements. Please be sure to also actively check Canvas for announcements.). Canvas comes with built-in access to Zoom, but you will need access to audio and camera access for ConferZoom office hours with me, tutoring, etc.
Types of Assessments
Throughout the course, you will compose a total of three formal multi-paragraph and research-driven essays. Every paper will require you to complete a step-by-step writing process, which will be explained over the first weeks of class. Discussion boards will help us work through new writing terms, techniques, and strategies. In addition, the discussion boards will help reinforce the reading assignments. In addition to discussion boards, there will be quizzes and/or exercises which involve reading and writing responses. In addition, you will complete one final examination (which will be proctored). Students who actively and consistently participate in the course, tend to do well. Please email me or contact me via telephone regarding any concerns or questions. I believe that open communication is a key to learning.
Textbook Information
Textbook Information
I am using a zero cost textbook option, but you may purchase a copy of the Color Purple through the COC Bookstore should you wish to do so. Please be sure to purchase your textbooks right away as we will be using them from week one forward. If you are having a problem obtaining textbooks, please contact me ASAP!
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker (paperback: ISBN 9780156028356)
- Handouts on Canvas
- Free textbooks on Canvas
Other Relevant Course Information
REGISTRATION AND DROP INFORMATION
You may be dropped from the class if you do not attend this course via Zoom on the first day of class (Pacific Time) on the first day of the semester. Please note: You are responsible, though, for dropping the class by the official college deadlines if you choose not to complete the course. If you are having trouble with the course, please reach out to me first. It has been my experience that students who drop the class prematurely typically could have gotten a passing grade.
WAITLISTS
If this course is full and has gone to a wait list, please do not email me before the course begins to try to add. The best way to add the course is to be on the waitlist, as the college will automatically add you if a spot opens up. They will notify you via email so that you can pay your fees and remain enrolled in the course. In the event that there is room for additional students (other than those on the waitlist) to add the class, I will know by Monday of the first week of class, so please email me before noon on that day, but not before, so that I can give you an add code. If you add the class, your name will be sent directly to Computer Support Services via computer by Admissions and Records, and it may take one business day before your account is created in Canvas, though I will do my best to expedite that process. It is your responsibility to attend the course day one and to make up any missing work if you cannot attend the first day.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you have accommodations you need met, please let me know on the first day of the course, so that I can make arrangements for you.
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HOW TO NAVIGATE THE COURSE USING WEEKLY MODULES (NOT DASHBOARD)
To find the discussion board and your other assignments, please do NOT enter the Canvas shell via your dashboard. Instead, please go to the course itself and click on MODULES. You will see that I have arranged your assignments under each week that we will be in class. Go to the Week One Module and look at the assignments listed there. You will see my weekly overview, reading assignments, discussion board assignments, writing assignments, and any extra resources needed for the week. To do your first discussion, simply click on the discussion area and follow the directions. Remember, your first post on day one is your mandatory attendance!
ADDITIONAL NAVIGATION TIPS
When accessing a link or going to a website from our course, right click on your mouse, then select open link in new window. This will open the site in a new window. When you are done, you can close that window, and then return to our course site, without having lost your starting place. Take the time to learn the site’s course menu:
Home – The page that comes up when you enter the course. It lists all of the syllabus files, the semester plan of readings and assignments, and the essay grading rubric we’ll use in the course.
Announcements – This tab contains all course announcements. They will be listed by most recent at the top of the screen. ALWAYS check this tab when you sign into the course to get important information.
Modules - Each week, a new module will appear. In other words, you will see five modules for this course. You should review each new module as soon as possible, as it will contain the things you need to complete, including:
- Weekly overview
- Reading Assignments
- Discussion Board
- Writing Assignments
- Quizzes
- And your Final Exam
Grades – This tab will take you to your grades. It is VERY important that you look at my comments in this area. To see my comments, click on the three dots on the far right of your numeric score.
ConferZoom – Should we need to do a face-to-face conference to help you to succeed, we can set up an appointment, and I will create an appointment for you to meet via Zoom. If you click on ConferZoom, the tab will allow us to communicate face-to-face. You will need to use your smart phone or computer’s audio and camera equipment.
The Tutoring Center – COC provides online tutoring for you throughout the semester. The tutors are very helpful and are there to help students succeed. Always share the assignment prompt with your tutor so that he/she knows the requirements of each essay and its focus.
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: 09/21/2023 Sub#: 151